Mixing and dispensing device



Feb. 14, 1961 /A////1/7"0R Rom/110 C hi es/1 5y United States Patent ,0

MIXING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Ronald C. Kersh, 11 La Campana, Orinda,Calif.

Filed Oct. 4, 1957, Ser. No. 688,297

4 Claims. (Cl. 23-272.7)

The present invention relates to a device for controllably interjectingliquids or soluble solids into a stream of liquid for dispensationthereby.

There have been developed innumerable devices designed to dispense suchas fertilizers, weed killers, soaps and the like, however, all attemptstherein to provide control over the dispensing operation has beenaccompanied by such complexity of structure as to seriously limit theapplicability of the resultant device. This invention relates to thetype of devices employing a moving stream of liquid, generally water, topick up and deliver some other liquid or soluble solid. One of the primerequisites of devices of this nature is the ability thereof to vary theproportion of material picked up by the moving stream for clearlyrelated applications or any such device calls for different proportionsof material. For example, in the fertilization of a garden one type ofplant should receive a certain strength dosage while another possiblyadjacent plant should be fed an entirely different dosage. A likesituation is found in the dispensing of weed killers which are employedin different strengths upon different weeds quite possibly growing inproximity to each other.

The present invention provides a substantially instantaneous mixingcontrol directly available to the user of the device and readilyaccessible during use. Furthermore, the above noted control feature isaccomplished with no multiplication of parts and a simplicity ofstructure not found even in many dispensing devices having no controlmeans. No small parts are employed in the device and only a small totalnumber of parts, so that not only are original expense and assemblydifficulties minimized but also a materially enhanced dependability andlongevity is provided. The relative size and simplicity of parts is ofparticular advantage in those applications wherein materials to be mixedtend to deposit within the device, for

the clogging, sticking and the like normally encountered is hereinsubstantially eliminated.

A further feature of the present invention is the facility thereof ofimproved material pick up for provision is made for creating turbulencein the area of material pick up. .This causes improved dissolving ofsolids to be carried by the fluid stream with a consequent improveddelivery thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing deviceemploying a stream of fluid and having controllable amounts of materialdispensation with a constant volume fiuid flow.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a simplifiedand improved control means for fluid fiow dispenseis.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device fordispensing soluble solids in a fluid stream having controllable amountsof solid in the emergent stream and improved dissolving action.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of 2,971,825 Patented Feb. 14, 1961 2the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying andforming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, thatvariations in the showing made by the said drawing and description maybe adopted within the scope or" the invention as set forth in theclaims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal center section through the device.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken at 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken at 33 of Figure 2. s v

Figure 4 is 'a plan view of the deviceshowing the. exterior control.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken in the same plane asFigure 3 and illustrating an intermediate position of the control means.

Figure 6 is a projected view of the valve member of the control means.

Considering now the invention in some detail and referring to thedrawing. there is provided a body 11 having a first cylindricalextension 12 defining an inlet passage 13 and a second cylindricalextension 14 defining an outlet passage 16. Within the central portionof the body 11 there is formed a generally circular opening 17 with theconfi uration of a truncated cone and freely communicating with bothinlet and outlet passages disposed radially thereof. The cylindricalextensions 12 and 14 of the body 11 are adapted for connection to fluidconducting means such as garden hoses, and to this end internalthreadsmay be formed within the first extension 12 andexternal threads aboutthe exterior of the second extension 14.

The central body opening 17 extendsthrough the body and at the large endof the opening 17 there is disposed araised hollow boss 18 upon the bodyhaving threads formed thereabout to receive a cup-shaped closure 19 defining with the body a mixing chamber 21. Suitable an nular gasket means22 are disposed upon the body within" the box 18 thereof to receive theclosure 19 in bearing relation for sealing the mixing chamber21andlimiting communication thereof to the body opening 17.

Within the body opening 17 thereis disposed a valve member 23 which maybe formed as a single element of suitable material such as plastic anddefining a longitudinal bore 24 through a cylindrical portion 25thereof. The valve member includes in addition to the "cylinder 25 acircular bottom flange 26 having conically shaped edges mating with theinclined wall of the body opening 7 and resting upon a shoulder 27formed at the opposite end of the body opening from the mixing chamber21. Further regarding the valve member 23, the cylinder 25 thereof isdisposed for alignment with the inlet and outlet passages of the body 11and the sides of the valve cylinder 25 at the end of the bore 24 areformed on a conical surface to mate withthe sides .of'the body opening17 so that the valve member which is rotatable uponthe shoulder 27 ismovable to place thebore thereof in controlled registry with the inletandoutlet passages. With the valve member disposed to-align the bore 24thereof with the body passages, the ends of the valve cylinder 25 sealagainst the side of the body opening 17 to prevent communication betweenthe opening 17 and the inlet and outlet passages 13 and 16. It is herenoted that the valve member 23 does not fill the opening 17 but onlyextends thereacross generally as a cylinder so as to leave roomthereabout within the opening 17 for fluid flow under controlledconditions.

Provisionis made for controllablyrotating the valve' member 23 tomisalign'the cylinder 25 thereof with the inlet and outlet passages .ofthe body I land w this end,

' thereaboutbearing upon the dial 311.

'tionst34 upon the exterior thereon.

ems-e V a cylindrical projection 28 formed in extension from the valveflange 26 normal to the bore and disposed wanna circularopening inthebodyll at the opposite side thereof from the mixing, chamber} ing;means are provided about this valve member projecnan 28 and a squarestub 29 is appended to the outer end of theprojection. A generallycircular dialor control plate 31 having a central square openingfitsupon thevalve member stub 29 and is secured theretoas by a screw 32threaded into the stub and having a washer 33 Lateral displaceriient ofthe dial 31 from the axisthereof is prohibited by off-setting the matingsurfaces of the dial and body, as shown in Figures 1 and 3. Radiallydisposed projecsurface of the dial provide for ready turning thereof byhand and a scale 36 of markings scribedor otherwise formed upon the dialare adapted to register with an index mark 37 upon the body 11'. Thescale markings are oriented so that a zero mark aligns with the indexmark 37 when the bore 24- of the valve member is aligned with the inletand outlet passages in the body. The'other marks of the scale extend,for example, clockwise-from the zero mark for somewhat less than ninetydegrees for the purpose of indicating, when in alignment with the indexmark, the degree of registry of the valve member cylinder with the inletand outlet ports. It will be appreciated that as the valve member isrotated, the cylinder 25 thereof moves across the inlet-and outlet portsso as to place the latter in greater communication with the body opening17 and communicating mixing chamber 21 so that the scale setting alsoindicates the proportion of fluid flowing through the device that isdirected through the mixing chamber. A further element of the inventionis a screen 38 secured as by screws 39 to the valve member 23 on theside thereof adjacent the mixing chamber 21. This screen has a generallycircular configuration of such an extent as to overlay the gasket22,however, one side of the screen is cut off on a chord along the top ofthe valve member cylinder 25. The screen 38 is oriented with respect tothe direction of rotation of the valve member that it is disposed onlybetween the mixing chamber and the portion of the body opening 17 openedto the outlet passage 16, for reasons set forth below.

7 As regards operation of'the present invention it is intended thatmaterialto be dispensed, such as ,afsolid' soluble fertilizer, shall beplaced in themixing'chamber 21. To this end the cap 19'is removable andthe matenal may be placed uponthe screen 38 with the cup removed and the"cup then threaded into the boss 18 to bear upon the gasket 22 forsealing the mixing chamber.

It is also ntended that a fluid source shall be connected to the firstbody cylinder-12 as by means of a garden hose or pipe, not shown,threaded therein to communi oate Wlthlh inletpassage 13. Likewise, fluidoutlet means, not shown, are adapted for threaded connection 7 V to thesecond body cylinder 1 4'to communicate with the outlet passage andcarry fluidto a dispensing point, as for example, some type of nozzle.In normal position, the valve member 23is orientedwithin'the body toalign the bore 24 with the inlet and, outlet passages in the body. Inthis position the valve member, or more specifically the cylinder 25thereof, entirely seals the inletand outlet passagesfrom the bodyopening 17 and an uninterrupted fluid path is provided through thedevice, this normally corresponding to registry of the zero position onthe scale 36 with the index 37.,

v Dispensing of materials from the invention is accomphshed by turningthe dial 3,1, as by the projections iia This rotates the valve; member23 to turn'the cylinder thereof out offull. alignment with the inlet andoutlet passages: In an intermediate dial position the valve rnembereylinder25; is oriented to p'artially cove'r both inlet and outletpassage so that fluid, such as water,

. flowing in throughthe inlet; passage pass'es partially Suitable seal-.

through the valve member bore 24 directly into the outlet passage. Inthis position some of the inlet fluid passes into the body opening 17and thus fills same and flows upwards into the mixing chamber 21. Fluidin the mixing chamber 21 picks up material disposed therein, as bydissolving same, and fldws back down into the body opening 17 on theoutletside of the valve member cylinder. The fluid carrying material tobe dispensed from the mixing chamber 21 then flows into the outletpassage to mix with fluid flowing therein from the valve member bore andultimately reaches a distribution point. i

As the fluid flows through the mixing chamber 21 it will be seen thatits progress is unimpeded in entering same for no screen or otherobstruction exists between the mixing chamber 21 and the inlet side ofthe body opening 17. However, as the fluid leaves the mixing chamber 21it must pass through the screen 38 and this serves the double purpose ofpreventing large particles of material from being carried from themixing chamber and of creating turbulence in the mixing chamber. As tothe creation of fluid turbulence, a much greater dissolving action results therefrom, however, turbulence occurs generally behind anobstruction such as a screen and thus the outgoing fluid is obstructedfor maximized mixing and dissolving in the mixing chamber and theincoming fluid is not obstructed for only an undesirable flow limitationwould result therefrom. The particular flu-id flow produced herein ishighly advantageous in that no unnecessary flow obstructions are placedin the path of fluid entering the mixing chamber and yet the outletscreen 38 prevents a direct fluid flow path, through the mixing chamberand thus enhances the dissolving action of the fluid upon materialtherein. As the screen 38 is aflix'ed to the valve member 2.3,theforegoing fluid flow condition through the mixing chamber remainssubstantially the same as regards turbulence for the various valvemember settings or positions;

Very good control is provided over the amount of ma terial picked up byany constant fluid flow through the invention for the rotarydisplacement of the valve member from zero position determines theproportion of fluid flowing directly throughthe device via the bore 24to the fluid flowing through the mixing chamber. In this manner novariation in fluid flow is required to change the amount of materialdispensed nor are any previously prepared mixtures or settings required,for only a simple dial setting will produce a desired change in theamount of material dispensed].

What is claimed is: l v V I l y 1. A mixing and dispensing devicecomprising a body defining a circular fcentral opening communicatingwith spaced inlet and outlet passages and adapted for connection in afluid flow line, means defining a mixing chamber communicating ,withsaid central body opening and adapted to contain a soluble solid to bedispensed by fluid flow through the body, a single cylindrical membermovably disposed diametrically Within said circular body opening insubstantially sealingrelation with a portion of the walls thereof anddefining a single bore adapted tocommunicate between said inlet andoutlet passages, said cylindrical member being spaced .rrom the walls ofthe circular opening, andicontrol means exteriorly of said body engagingsaid member'fortangularly dispiacingsame within said body tocontrollably misalign said bore and inlet andoutlet passages to vary therelative communion .tion between said passages'andisaid bore and saidpassages and said mixing chamber 'for controlling the relative amount ofmaterial in said mixing chamber carried away ,by fluid, a screen carriedby the upper portion of said movable member and disposed only'betw'eensaid mixing chamber and the portion ofisaidtbody openingcommunieatingwith said outlet passage for creating turbulent fluid flowin saidmixing. chamber to minimize dissolving jot materialTtlzierein andprovideuninterrupted flowi into said mixing chamber from said inletpassage.

2.. A dispensing device comprising a body defining a conical opening andspaced inlet and outlet passages communicating with said opening inradial relation thereto, a valve member having partial sides formed onconical surfaces and mating within said opening for rotation thereinwith a bore between said sides in position for alignment between saidinlet and outlet passages, the upper portion of said valve member beingspaced from the walls of said conical opening, the portions of saidvalve member adjacent opposite ends of said bore being sealingly engagedwith the adjacent walls of said conical opening, means defining a mixingchamber communicating with the opening in said body at the large end ofsaid opening, and means engaging said valve member and extendingexteriorly of said body for rotationally positioning said valve memberwhereby a controllable communication is provided between said bore andpassages and thus also between said passages and said mixing chamber, ascreen carried by the upper portion of said valve member and spanningthe space between said opening and said mixing chamber on one side onlyof said valve member for interposition between said mixing chamber andthe portion of said opening communicating with said outlet passage forcreating turbulent flow in the mixing chamber and providinguninterrupted flow into the mixing chamber.

3. A mixing and dispensing device comprising a body means includinginlet and outlet passages adapted for connection to fluid supply anddistribution means respectively, an opening formed in said body means incommunication with said inlet and outlet passages, means defining amixing chamber in communication with said opening, a valve memberrotatably mounted within said body means and comprising a single elementrotatably mounted within said opening and including an upper portion ofless dimension than said opening such that the valve member does notfill the opening, said valve member including a substantiallycylindrical portion having a bore formed therethrough, the sides of saidcylindrical portion at the opposite ends of said bore being sealinglyengaged with the sides of said body opening and being adapted to bealigned with said inlet and outlet passages, and a screen means securedto the upper portion of said valve member, said screen means overlyingthe space between one side of the cylindrical portion of the valvemember and the adjacent portion of the body means, the screen meansterminating short of the body means adjacent the opposite side of thecylindrical portion of said valve member, the screen means beingoriented with respect to the direction of rotation of the valve membersuch that the screen means is disposed only between the mixing cham- 6her and that portion of the opening which is in communication with theoutlet passage for providing uninterrupted flow into the mixing chamberand for creating turbulent flow in the mixing chamber.

4. A mixing and dispensing device comprising a body having inlet andoutlet passages formed therein, said body means including an openingformed therein in communication with said inlet and outlet passages,means defining a mixing chamber in communication with said opening andadapted to contain a soluble substance to be dispensed by fluid flowthrough the body means, a unitary valve member rotatably mounted by saidbody means within said opening, said valve member including a lowerportion in sealing relationship to said opening and an upper portion ofless dimension than the opening such that the valve member does not fillthe opening, said valve member including a substantially cylindricalportion extending laterally thereof and having a bore formedtherethrough, said inlet and outlet passages being axially aligned withone another and the bore in said cylindrical portion being adapted to bealigned with said inlet and outlet passages, the sides of saidcylindrical portion adjacent the ends of said bore being adapted tosealingly engage the side of the body opening, said valve memberincluding an inlet side which is normally in communication with saidinlet passage when the valve member is rotated such that the borethrough the cylindrical portion is out of alignment with the inlet andoutlet portions, said valve member also including an outlet side whichis normally in communication with said outlet passage when the valvemember is rotated such that the bore in the cylindrical portion is outof alignment with said inlet and outlet passages, and screen meanssecured to the upper portion of said valve member, said screen meansoverlying the space between the outlet side of said valve member and theadjacent portion of the body means, and the screen means only partiallycovering the space between the inlet side of said valve member and theadjacent sides of the body means whereby uninterrupted flow is providedinto the mixing chamber and a turbulent flow is provided in the mixingchamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,176,126 Benedict Mar. 21, 1916 1,858,054 Miller May 10, 1932 2,345,275Marvin Mar. 28, 1944 2,507,410 Kemp May 9, 1950

1. A MIXING AND DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING A BODY DEFINING A CIRCULARCENTRAL OPENING COMMUNICATING WITH SPACED INLET AND OUTLET PASSAGES ANDADAPTED FOR CONNECTION IN A FLUID FLOW LINE, MEANS DEFINING A MIXINGCHAMBER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CENTRAL BODY OPENING AND ADAPTED TOCONTAIN A SOLUBLE SOLID TO BE DISPENSED BY FLUID FLOW THROUGH THE BODY,A SINGLE CYLINDRICAL MEMBER MOVABLY DISPOSED DIAMETRICALLY WITHIN SAIDCIRCULAR BODY OPENING IN SUBSTANTIALLY SEALING RELATION WITH A PORTIONOF THE WALLS THEREOF AND DEFINING A SINGLE BORE ADAPTED TO COMMUNICATEBETWEEN SAID INLET AND OUTLET PASSAGES, SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER BEINGSPACED FROM THE WALLS OF THE CIRCULAR OPENING, AND CONTROL MEANSEXTERIORLY OF SAID BODY ENGAGING SAID MEMBER FOR ANGULARLY DISPLACINGSAME WITHIN SAID BODY TO CONTROLLABLY MISALIGN SAID BORE AND INLET ANDOUTLET PASSAGES TO VARY THE RELATIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID PASSAGESAND SAID BORE AND SAID PASSAGES AND SAID MIXING CHAMBER FOR CONTROLLINGTHE RELATIVE AMOUNT OF MATERIAL IN SAID MIXING CHAMBER CARRIED AWAY BYFLUID, A SCREEN CARRIED BY THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID MOVABLE MEMBER ANDDISPOSED ONLY BETWEEN SAID MIXING CHAMBER AND THE PORTION OF SAID BODYOPENING COMMUNICATING WITH SAID OUTLET PASSAGE FOR CREATING TURBULENTFLUID FLOW IN SAID MIXING CHAMBER TO MINIMIZE DISSOLVING OF MATERIALTHEREIN AND PROVIDE UNINTERRUPTED FLOW INTO SAID MIXING CHAMBER FROMSAID INLET PASSAGE.